US20190219773A1 - Multicore optical connector and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents
Multicore optical connector and method of manufacturing the same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20190219773A1 US20190219773A1 US16/307,392 US201716307392A US2019219773A1 US 20190219773 A1 US20190219773 A1 US 20190219773A1 US 201716307392 A US201716307392 A US 201716307392A US 2019219773 A1 US2019219773 A1 US 2019219773A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- ferrules
- lenses
- optical fibers
- end faces
- central axis
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
- G02B6/2552—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding reshaping or reforming of light guides for coupling using thermal heating, e.g. tapering, forming of a lens on light guide ends
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
- G02B6/32—Optical coupling means having lens focusing means positioned between opposed fibre ends
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/381—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
- G02B6/3818—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres of a low-reflection-loss type
- G02B6/3822—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres of a low-reflection-loss type with beveled fibre ends
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
- G02B6/3853—Lens inside the ferrule
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
- G02B6/3863—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture fabricated by using polishing techniques
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3873—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls
- G02B6/3882—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls using rods, pins or balls to align a pair of ferrule ends
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3873—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls
- G02B6/3885—Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/40—Mechanical coupling means having fibre bundle mating means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/40—Mechanical coupling means having fibre bundle mating means
- G02B6/403—Mechanical coupling means having fibre bundle mating means of the ferrule type, connecting a pair of ferrules
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a multicore optical connector and a method of manufacturing the same.
- Optical interconnection is attracting attention as technology for achieving higher speed, larger capacity, and lower power consumption in information transmission.
- Important element technology in optical interconnection is connection technology of optical wiring, and connections that are simple but provide high coupling efficiency are required not only for connecting optical fibers with each other but also for connecting optical wiring between boards, between chips, and within chips.
- a connector connection using a connecting terminal called a ferrule is generally known, and configuring connectors to have multiple cores is essential in realizing connections of high-density optical wiring.
- a known multicore optical connector is provided with: ferrules having positioning holes in which a plurality of end portions of optical fibers are arranged and a pair of guide holes into which guide pins are to be inserted; and the guide pins which are inserted into the guide holes of the ferrules to coaxially connect a pair of the ferrules (refer to PTL 1 below).
- an optical fiber with lens in which a GRIN lens (a gradient index lens) is fused to a tip of an optical fiber is known (refer to PTL 2 below).
- a connection of optical wiring using an optical fiber with lens has features that enables energy density of emitted light to be reduced due to beam expansion by a GRIN lens and, at the same time, enables connecting end faces to be mutually contactless.
- reflection return light can be reduced and inverse incidence of reflection return light to the optical fiber can be prevented by inclining an end face of the GRIN lens relative to a central axis of the GRIN lens or the optical fiber.
- Snell's law since inclining the end face of the GRIN lens causes an optical axis of coupled light to have a prescribed angle relative to the central axis of the GRIN lens, when connecting a pair of ferrules using a multicore optical connector by coaxially butting the ferrules against each other, optical coupling cannot be performed if a central axis of the ferrules and a center of arrangement of GRIN lenses match each other.
- an object of the present invention is, for example, to enable, in a multicore optical connector in which a plurality of optical fibers with lenses are arranged and held in a ferrule, reflection return light to be suppressed and low-loss connection to be performed.
- a multicore optical connector and a method of manufacturing the same according to the present invention are configured as follows.
- a multicore optical connector including: a ferrule in which a plurality of optical fibers with lenses are arranged and held, the optical fibers with lenses having GRIN lenses fused to tips of optical fibers; and a coupling member which couples a pair of the ferrules so that the ferrules oppose each other in a non-contact state and end faces of the ferrules are parallel to each other, wherein the ferrules each have the end face inclined by a set angle relative to a central axis, and the GRIN lenses are arranged and held parallel to the central axis so that a center of arrangement is at a position eccentric relative to the central axis, and the optical fibers with lenses held by the pair of the ferrules nave end faces of the GRIN lenses inclined along the end faces of the ferrules so that the optical fibers with lenses are optically coupled to each other, and in the optical fibers with lenses arranged in an inclination direction of the end faces of the ferrules, fusing positions between the GR
- a method of manufacturing a multicore optical connector including a ferrule in which a plurality of optical fibers with lenses are arranged and held, the optical fibers with lenses having GRIN lenses fused to tips of optical fibers, and a coupling member which couples a pair of the ferrules so that the ferrules oppose each other in a non-contact state and end faces of the ferrules are parallel to each other, the method including: a step of molding each of the ferrules in which a plurality of holes along a central axis of the ferrule are arranged so that a center of arrangement is eccentric relative to the central axis; a step of inserting the optical fibers with lenses into the holes, arranging fusing positions between the GRIN lenses and the optical fibers so as to be inclined by a set angle relative to the central axis, and fixing the optical fibers with lenses to the ferrules; and a step of polishing the end faces of the ferrules so that a direction of inclined arrangement of the f
- the multicore optical connector and the method of manufacturing the same described above by inclining an end face of a GRIN lens of an optical fiber with lens relative to a central axis of a ferrule, reflection return light can be reduced and, at the same time, inverse incidence of reflection return light to an optical fiber can be suppressed.
- multicore connector connection of optical fibers with lenses can be performed while keeping a lens length of the GRIN lens constant. Accordingly, in a multicore optical connector in which a plurality of optical fibers with lenses are arranged and held in a ferrule, reflection return light can be suppressed and low-loss connection can be performed.
- FIG. 1( a ) and FIG. 1( b ) are explanatory diagrams showing an overall configuration of a multicore optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention (in which FIG. 1( a ) represents a non-connected state and FIG. 1( b ) represents a connected state).
- FIG. 2 is a front view of a ferrule in a multicore optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a pair of ferrules holding optical fibers with lenses.
- FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a coupled state of each optical fiber with lens.
- FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of manufacturing a multicore optical connector (first example) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of manufacturing a multicore optical connector (second example) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 1( a ) and FIG. 1( b ) show an overall configuration of a multicore optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention in which FIG. 1( a ) represents a non-connected state and FIG. 1( b ) represents a connected state.
- a multicore optical connector 1 is constituted by a pair of ferrules 2 and a coupling member 3 .
- the pair of ferrules 2 is a pair of a same ferrule, and the ferrules 2 are vertically flipped to face each other so that end faces 2 A are parallel to each other.
- the coupling member 3 is constituted by a guide pin 3 A and a clamp spring 3 B in this example, however, the configuration of the coupling member 3 is not limited to this, and the coupling member 3 may be an adapter or the like which holds the pair of ferrules 2 .
- a plurality of optical fibers with lenses 4 are arranged and held in the ferrules 2 , and the end faces 2 A of the ferrules 2 are inclined by a set angle relative to a central axis of the ferrules 2 .
- the coupling member 3 coaxially couples the ferrules 2 in a non-contact state so that the inclined end faces 2 A are separated from each other by a set distance.
- a hole 2 P that holds an optical fiber with lens is formed in plurality in two directions (an X direction and a Y direction in the diagram) that are perpendicular to a direction of a central axis Of (a Z direction in the diagram) of the ferrules 2 .
- the holes 2 P are arranged in m-number of rows (12 rows) in a horizontal direction (the X direction) and in n-number of rows (4 rows) in a vertical direction (the Y direction), and a center of arrangement (an arrangement central axis) Op of the holes 2 P is eccentric by ⁇ t in the Y direction in the diagram relative to the central axis Of of the ferrules 2 .
- the ferrules 2 are provided with a pair of guide holes 2 Q.
- the guide holes 2 Q coaxially couple the pair of ferrules 2 when the guide pin 3 A is inserted therein and are formed at positions that are vertically and horizontally symmetrical relative to the central axis Of of the ferrules 2 .
- An inclination direction of the end face 2 A of the ferrules 2 is consistent with a direction of eccentricity of the center of arrangement (the arrangement central axis) Op.
- the direction of eccentricity of the center of arrangement Op and the inclination direction of the end face 2 A are a +Y direction in the diagram
- the direction of eccentricity of the center of arrangement Op and the inclination direction of the end face 2 A are a ⁇ Y direction in the diagram.
- a GRIN lens 4 B is fused to a tip of an optical fiber 4 A, and an end face of the GRIN lens 4 B is inclined along the end face 2 A of the ferrules 2 so that the optical fibers with lenses 4 are optically coupled to each other.
- fusing positions 4 F between the GRIN lens 4 B and the optical fiber 4 A are arranged so as to be inclined along the end face 2 A.
- an inclination angle of the end face 2 A (an inclination angle relative to the Y direction) is ⁇ 0
- a straight line connecting the fusing positions 4 F of the optical fibers with lenses 4 arranged in the Y direction is inclined by an angle of ⁇ 0 relative to the Y direction.
- the angle ⁇ 0 may be 4 degrees or more, favorably 6 degrees or more, and more favorably 8 degrees or more.
- the ferrules 2 holding the optical fiber with lens 4 as described above each have the inclined end face 2 A, and in all of the held optical fibers with lenses 4 , a lens length L 0 of the GRIN lenses 4 B is the same. Accordingly, all of the optical fibers with lenses 4 held by the ferrules 2 assume a same optically coupled state by vertically flipping and connecting a pair of the ferrules 2 , and by setting an appropriate end face interval relative to the inclination angle ⁇ 0 of the end face 2 A, all of the optical fibers with lenses 4 are able to realize low-loss optical coupling with coinciding beam waist positions.
- FIG. 4 shows a coupled state of each optical fiber with lens 4 .
- the GRIN lens 4 B having an inclined end face 4 B 1 (“ 4 B 2 ” in the diagram denotes a perpendicular to the inclined end face 4 B 1 ) is coupled by eccentrically moving the GRIN lens 4 B in the inclination direction by ⁇ t, light passing a central axis 4 B 0 of the GRIN lens 4 B is emitted in a direction of an angle ⁇ f relative to the central axis 4 B 0 .
- the ferrule 2 can be formed by insert molding using a mold in which a pin for forming the holes 2 P and the guide hole 2 Q is positioned. By appropriately eccentrically moving the position of the pin relative to a center of the mold, a ferrule 2 can be formed in which the center of arrangement Op of the large number of rows of the holes 2 P is eccentric by ⁇ t relative to the central axis Of.
- FIG. 5 shows all example of a step of fixing the optical fiber with lens 4 to the ferrule 2 and a step of polishing an end face of the ferrule 2 to form an inclined end face.
- the GRIN lenses 4 B all of which having a same length Ls, are fused to the optical fibers 4 A.
- fusing positions 4 F are arranged so as to he inclined by providing differences in amounts of protrusion (h 1 , h 2 , h 3 , and h 4 ) by which the GRIN lenses 4 B protrude from end faces 2 S of the ferrules 2 prior to polishing.
- an inclination angle of a straight line connecting the fusing positions 4 F is set to ⁇ 0 by appropriately setting the amounts of protrusion (h 1 , h 2 , h 3 , and h 4 ).
- the optical fiber wish lens 4 inserted into the hole 2 P is fixed to the ferrule 2 .
- the end face 2 S and the GRIN lens 4 B protruding from the end face 2 S are polished.
- the inclined end face 2 A is formed and, at the same time, the inclined end face 4 B 1 of the GRIN lens 4 B is formed.
- An amount of polishing at this point is set so that a lens length of the GRIN lens 4 B equals the set lens length L 0 .
- FIG. 6 shows another example of the step of fixing the optical fiber with lens 4 to the ferrule 2 and the step of polishing an end face of the ferrule 2 to form an inclined end face.
- the lengths of the GRIN lenses 4 B are set to different lengths (L 1 , L 2 , L 3 , and L 4 ).
- the fusing positions 4 F are arranged so as to be inclined.
- an inclination angle of a straight line connecting the fusing positions 4 F is set to ⁇ 0 by appropriately setting the lengths (L 1 , L 2 , L 3 , and L 4 ) of the GRIN lenses 4 B.
- the optical fiber with Jens 4 inserted into the hole 2 P is fixed to the ferrule 2 .
- the end face 2 S and the GRIN lens 4 B are polished.
- the inclined end face 2 A is formed and, at the same time, the inclined end face 4 B 1 of the GRIN lens 4 B is formed.
- An amount of polishing at this point is set so that a lens length of the GRIN lens 4 B equals the set lens length L 0 .
- the multicore optical connector 1 including the ferrule 2 which holds the optical fiber with lens 4 configured as described above, by inclining an end face of the GRIN lens 4 B of the optical fiber with lens 4 relative to the central axis Of of the ferrule 2 , reflection return light can be reduced and, at the same time, inverse incidence of reflection return light to the optical fiber 4 A can be suppressed.
- multicore connector connection of optical fibers with lenses 4 can be performed while keeping a lens length L 0 of the GRIN lenses 4 B constant. Accordingly, in the multicore optical connector 1 in which a plurality of optical fibers with lenses 4 are arranged and held in the ferrule 2 , reflection return light can be suppressed and low-loss connection can be performed.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a multicore optical connector and a method of manufacturing the same.
- Optical interconnection is attracting attention as technology for achieving higher speed, larger capacity, and lower power consumption in information transmission. Important element technology in optical interconnection is connection technology of optical wiring, and connections that are simple but provide high coupling efficiency are required not only for connecting optical fibers with each other but also for connecting optical wiring between boards, between chips, and within chips.
- In connections of optical wiring, a connector connection using a connecting terminal called a ferrule is generally known, and configuring connectors to have multiple cores is essential in realizing connections of high-density optical wiring. As a conventional multicore optical connector, a known multicore optical connector is provided with: ferrules having positioning holes in which a plurality of end portions of optical fibers are arranged and a pair of guide holes into which guide pins are to be inserted; and the guide pins which are inserted into the guide holes of the ferrules to coaxially connect a pair of the ferrules (refer to
PTL 1 below). - Meanwhile, an optical fiber with lens (an optical fiber collimator) in which a GRIN lens (a gradient index lens) is fused to a tip of an optical fiber is known (refer to
PTL 2 below). A connection of optical wiring using an optical fiber with lens has features that enables energy density of emitted light to be reduced due to beam expansion by a GRIN lens and, at the same time, enables connecting end faces to be mutually contactless. When the energy density of emitted light is reduced, a phenomenon where a connecting end face or an interior of an optical fiber is damaged by generation of heat caused by energy concentrating on a foreign object adhered to an end face, a fiber fuse associated with the generation of heat, or the like can be avoided, and further by making the connecting end faces contactless, optical coupling can be performed even when a foreign object is present on a connecting end face and the trouble of cleaning the connecting end face or the like can be spared. Furthermore, in a connector connection, making connecting end faces contactless prevents scuffing or defects from occurring on a ferrule end face. - In the connection of optical wiring using an optical fiber with lens, making an end face of a GRIN lens contactless causes the end face to act as an interface between the GRIN lens (a high-refractive index layer) and air (a low-refractive index layer), and reflection return light on the end face becomes conspicuous. Since the reflection return light is collected by the GRIN lens and is inversely incident to the optical fiber, the reflection return light not only increases transmission loss but also has an adverse effect on a light source and the like.
- In order to address this issue, reflection return light can be reduced and inverse incidence of reflection return light to the optical fiber can be prevented by inclining an end face of the GRIN lens relative to a central axis of the GRIN lens or the optical fiber. However, in accordance with Snell's law, since inclining the end face of the GRIN lens causes an optical axis of coupled light to have a prescribed angle relative to the central axis of the GRIN lens, when connecting a pair of ferrules using a multicore optical connector by coaxially butting the ferrules against each other, optical coupling cannot be performed if a central axis of the ferrules and a center of arrangement of GRIN lenses match each other.
- In addition, in a case where a plurality of GRIN lenses are arranged along an inclination direction of the end faces of the GRIN lenses, there is a problem in that a difference is created among lens lengths of the GRIN lenses depending on arrangement positions when polishing an end face of a ferrule to form an inclined end face, which makes it difficult to perform a connection with low loss so that beam waist positions of coupled light coincide in all optical fibers with lenses.
- The present invention has been proposed in order to cope with such situations. Specifically, an object of the present invention is, for example, to enable, in a multicore optical connector in which a plurality of optical fibers with lenses are arranged and held in a ferrule, reflection return light to be suppressed and low-loss connection to be performed.
- In order to solve the problems described above, a multicore optical connector and a method of manufacturing the same according to the present invention are configured as follows.
- A multicore optical connector, including: a ferrule in which a plurality of optical fibers with lenses are arranged and held, the optical fibers with lenses having GRIN lenses fused to tips of optical fibers; and a coupling member which couples a pair of the ferrules so that the ferrules oppose each other in a non-contact state and end faces of the ferrules are parallel to each other, wherein the ferrules each have the end face inclined by a set angle relative to a central axis, and the GRIN lenses are arranged and held parallel to the central axis so that a center of arrangement is at a position eccentric relative to the central axis, and the optical fibers with lenses held by the pair of the ferrules nave end faces of the GRIN lenses inclined along the end faces of the ferrules so that the optical fibers with lenses are optically coupled to each other, and in the optical fibers with lenses arranged in an inclination direction of the end faces of the ferrules, fusing positions between the GRIN lenses and the optical fibers are arranged so as to be inclined along the end faces.
- A method of manufacturing a multicore optical connector including a ferrule in which a plurality of optical fibers with lenses are arranged and held, the optical fibers with lenses having GRIN lenses fused to tips of optical fibers, and a coupling member which couples a pair of the ferrules so that the ferrules oppose each other in a non-contact state and end faces of the ferrules are parallel to each other, the method including: a step of molding each of the ferrules in which a plurality of holes along a central axis of the ferrule are arranged so that a center of arrangement is eccentric relative to the central axis; a step of inserting the optical fibers with lenses into the holes, arranging fusing positions between the GRIN lenses and the optical fibers so as to be inclined by a set angle relative to the central axis, and fixing the optical fibers with lenses to the ferrules; and a step of polishing the end faces of the ferrules so that a direction of inclined arrangement of the fusing positions is parallel to the end faces.
- According to the multicore optical connector and the method of manufacturing the same described above, by inclining an end face of a GRIN lens of an optical fiber with lens relative to a central axis of a ferrule, reflection return light can be reduced and, at the same time, inverse incidence of reflection return light to an optical fiber can be suppressed. In addition, by arranging a fusing position between the GRIN lens and the optical fiber so as to be inclined along an inclination of an end face of the ferrule, multicore connector connection of optical fibers with lenses can be performed while keeping a lens length of the GRIN lens constant. Accordingly, in a multicore optical connector in which a plurality of optical fibers with lenses are arranged and held in a ferrule, reflection return light can be suppressed and low-loss connection can be performed.
-
FIG. 1(a) andFIG. 1(b) are explanatory diagrams showing an overall configuration of a multicore optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention (in whichFIG. 1(a) represents a non-connected state andFIG. 1(b) represents a connected state). -
FIG. 2 is a front view of a ferrule in a multicore optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a pair of ferrules holding optical fibers with lenses. -
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a coupled state of each optical fiber with lens. -
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of manufacturing a multicore optical connector (first example) according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of manufacturing a multicore optical connector (second example) according to an embodiment of the present invention. - Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1(a) andFIG. 1(b) show an overall configuration of a multicore optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention in whichFIG. 1(a) represents a non-connected state andFIG. 1(b) represents a connected state. A multicoreoptical connector 1 is constituted by a pair offerrules 2 and acoupling member 3. The pair offerrules 2 is a pair of a same ferrule, and theferrules 2 are vertically flipped to face each other so thatend faces 2A are parallel to each other. Thecoupling member 3 is constituted by aguide pin 3A and aclamp spring 3B in this example, however, the configuration of thecoupling member 3 is not limited to this, and thecoupling member 3 may be an adapter or the like which holds the pair offerrules 2. - A plurality of optical fibers with lenses 4 are arranged and held in the
ferrules 2, and the end faces 2A of theferrules 2 are inclined by a set angle relative to a central axis of theferrules 2. Thecoupling member 3 coaxially couples theferrules 2 in a non-contact state so that theinclined end faces 2A are separated from each other by a set distance. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , in the ferrules 2 (in the diagram, a right-side ferrule is denoted as 2(R) and a left-side ferrule is denoted as 2(L)), ahole 2P that holds an optical fiber with lens is formed in plurality in two directions (an X direction and a Y direction in the diagram) that are perpendicular to a direction of a central axis Of (a Z direction in the diagram) of theferrules 2. In the illustrated example, theholes 2P are arranged in m-number of rows (12 rows) in a horizontal direction (the X direction) and in n-number of rows (4 rows) in a vertical direction (the Y direction), and a center of arrangement (an arrangement central axis) Op of theholes 2P is eccentric by Λt in the Y direction in the diagram relative to the central axis Of of theferrules 2. In addition, theferrules 2 are provided with a pair ofguide holes 2Q. Theguide holes 2Q coaxially couple the pair offerrules 2 when theguide pin 3A is inserted therein and are formed at positions that are vertically and horizontally symmetrical relative to the central axis Of of theferrules 2. - An inclination direction of the
end face 2A of theferrules 2 is consistent with a direction of eccentricity of the center of arrangement (the arrangement central axis) Op. In other words, in the case of the right-side ferrule 2(R) in the diagram, the direction of eccentricity of the center of arrangement Op and the inclination direction of theend face 2A are a +Y direction in the diagram, and in the case of the left-side ferrule 2(L) in the diagram, the direction of eccentricity of the center of arrangement Op and the inclination direction of theend face 2A are a −Y direction in the diagram. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , in the optical fiber with lens 4 held by theferrules 2, aGRIN lens 4B is fused to a tip of anoptical fiber 4A, and an end face of theGRIN lens 4B is inclined along theend face 2A of theferrules 2 so that the optical fibers with lenses 4 are optically coupled to each other. In addition, in the optical fibers with lenses 4 arranged in the inclination direction (the Y direction in the diagram) of theend faces 2A of theferrules 2,fusing positions 4F between theGRIN lens 4B and theoptical fiber 4A are arranged so as to be inclined along theend face 2A. In other words, when an inclination angle of theend face 2A (an inclination angle relative to the Y direction) is θ0, a straight line connecting thefusing positions 4F of the optical fibers with lenses 4 arranged in the Y direction is inclined by an angle of θ0 relative to the Y direction. Specifically, the angle θ0 may be 4 degrees or more, favorably 6 degrees or more, and more favorably 8 degrees or more. - The
ferrules 2 holding the optical fiber with lens 4 as described above each have theinclined end face 2A, and in all of the held optical fibers with lenses 4, a lens length L0 of theGRIN lenses 4B is the same. Accordingly, all of the optical fibers with lenses 4 held by theferrules 2 assume a same optically coupled state by vertically flipping and connecting a pair of theferrules 2, and by setting an appropriate end face interval relative to the inclination angle θ0 of theend face 2A, all of the optical fibers with lenses 4 are able to realize low-loss optical coupling with coinciding beam waist positions. -
FIG. 4 shows a coupled state of each optical fiber with lens 4. When theGRIN lens 4B having an inclined end face 4B1 (“4B2” in the diagram denotes a perpendicular to the inclined end face 4B1) is coupled by eccentrically moving theGRIN lens 4B in the inclination direction by Δt, light passing a central axis 4B0 of theGRIN lens 4B is emitted in a direction of an angle θf relative to the central axis 4B0. In order to set a center of optical coupling S of light emitted from oneGRIN lens 4B and incident to anotherGRIN lens 4B at a beam waist position, when a beam waist distance is denoted by W, a central refractive index of theGRIN lens 4B is denoted by ng, and the inclination angle of the inclined end face 4B1 is denoted by θ0, a relationship expressed by (1) below is satisfied in accordance with Snell's law (given that a space between end faces has a refractive index of 1) and, at the same time, a relationship among an emission angle θf, an amount of eccentricity Δt, and the beam waist distance (a center distance of space) W is expressed by (2) below. The expressions (i) and (2) below enable an amount of eccentricity Δt and the inclination angle θ0 of the end face to be appropriately designed. -
ng·sin θ0=sin(θf+θ 0) (1) -
sin θf=Δt/W (2) - A method of manufacturing such a multicore optical connector will now be described. The
ferrule 2 can be formed by insert molding using a mold in which a pin for forming theholes 2P and theguide hole 2Q is positioned. By appropriately eccentrically moving the position of the pin relative to a center of the mold, aferrule 2 can be formed in which the center of arrangement Op of the large number of rows of theholes 2P is eccentric by Δt relative to the central axis Of. -
FIG. 5 shows all example of a step of fixing the optical fiber with lens 4 to theferrule 2 and a step of polishing an end face of theferrule 2 to form an inclined end face. In this example, in the optical fiber with lens 4 prior to fixing, theGRIN lenses 4B, all of which having a same length Ls, are fused to theoptical fibers 4A. When fixing the optical fiber with lens 4 to theferrule 2, fusingpositions 4F are arranged so as to he inclined by providing differences in amounts of protrusion (h1, h2, h3, and h4) by which theGRIN lenses 4B protrude from end faces 2S of theferrules 2 prior to polishing. In this case, an inclination angle of a straight line connecting the fusingpositions 4F is set to θ0 by appropriately setting the amounts of protrusion (h1, h2, h3, and h4). In this state, the optical fiber wish lens 4 inserted into thehole 2P is fixed to theferrule 2. - Next, the
end face 2S and theGRIN lens 4B protruding from theend face 2S are polished. By this polishing, theinclined end face 2A is formed and, at the same time, the inclined end face 4B1 of theGRIN lens 4B is formed. An amount of polishing at this point is set so that a lens length of theGRIN lens 4B equals the set lens length L0. -
FIG. 6 shows another example of the step of fixing the optical fiber with lens 4 to theferrule 2 and the step of polishing an end face of theferrule 2 to form an inclined end face. In this example, in the optical fiber with lens 4 prior to fixing, the lengths of theGRIN lenses 4B are set to different lengths (L1, L2, L3, and L4). In addition, by arranging the end faces of theGRIN lenses 4B with the different lengths so as to be flush with theend face 2S of theferrule 2 prior to polishing, the fusingpositions 4F are arranged so as to be inclined. In this case, an inclination angle of a straight line connecting the fusingpositions 4F is set to θ0 by appropriately setting the lengths (L1, L2, L3, and L4) of theGRIN lenses 4B. In this state, the optical fiber with Jens 4 inserted into thehole 2P is fixed to theferrule 2. - Next, the
end face 2S and theGRIN lens 4B are polished. By this polishing, theinclined end face 2A is formed and, at the same time, the inclined end face 4B1 of theGRIN lens 4B is formed. An amount of polishing at this point is set so that a lens length of theGRIN lens 4B equals the set lens length L0. - With the multicore
optical connector 1 including theferrule 2 which holds the optical fiber with lens 4 configured as described above, by inclining an end face of theGRIN lens 4B of the optical fiber with lens 4 relative to the central axis Of of theferrule 2, reflection return light can be reduced and, at the same time, inverse incidence of reflection return light to theoptical fiber 4A can be suppressed. In addition, by arrangingfusing positions 4F between theGRIN lenses 4B and theoptical fibers 4A so as to be inclined along an inclination of an end face of theferrule 2, multicore connector connection of optical fibers with lenses 4 can be performed while keeping a lens length L0 of theGRIN lenses 4B constant. Accordingly, in the multicoreoptical connector 1 in which a plurality of optical fibers with lenses 4 are arranged and held in theferrule 2, reflection return light can be suppressed and low-loss connection can be performed. - While embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, it is to be understood that specific configurations of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments and that various design modifications and the like may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, the embodiments described above may be implemented so as to combine respective techniques as long as there are no contradictions, problems, and the like in an object, a configuration, and the like of such implementations.
- 1 Multicore optical connector
- 2 Ferrule
- 2A End face
- 2P Hole
- 2Q Guide hole
- 3 Coupling member
- 3A Guide pin
- 3B Clamp spring
- 4 Optical fiber with lens
- 4A Optical fiber
- 4B GRIN lens
Claims (4)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2016-116204 | 2016-06-10 | ||
JP2016116204A JP2017219801A (en) | 2016-06-10 | 2016-06-10 | Multicore optical connector and manufacturing method therefor |
PCT/JP2017/017480 WO2017212845A1 (en) | 2016-06-10 | 2017-05-09 | Multicore optical connector and method for manufacturing same |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20190219773A1 true US20190219773A1 (en) | 2019-07-18 |
US10613277B2 US10613277B2 (en) | 2020-04-07 |
Family
ID=60578548
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/307,392 Active US10613277B2 (en) | 2016-06-10 | 2017-05-09 | Multicore optical connector and method of manufacturing the same |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US10613277B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3470897A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2017219801A (en) |
CN (1) | CN109196398A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2017212845A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20190101701A1 (en) * | 2016-03-24 | 2019-04-04 | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | Optical connector ferrule, optical connector, and optical coupling structure |
CN110568550A (en) * | 2019-09-24 | 2019-12-13 | 广州宏晟光电科技股份有限公司 | Shape forming method of optical fiber image inverter |
US10613277B2 (en) * | 2016-06-10 | 2020-04-07 | Toyo Seikan Group Holdings, Ltd. | Multicore optical connector and method of manufacturing the same |
US20230036200A1 (en) * | 2019-12-26 | 2023-02-02 | Fujikura Ltd. | Multicore fiber, optical fiber cable, and optical connector |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2019244388A1 (en) * | 2018-06-20 | 2019-12-26 | 住友電気工業株式会社 | Optical connection component, optical connector and optical connection structure |
CN110601767A (en) * | 2019-09-19 | 2019-12-20 | 深圳市深光谷科技有限公司 | Transmit-receive integrated optical module, device and system |
Citations (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5214730A (en) * | 1991-05-13 | 1993-05-25 | Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Corporation | Multifiber optical connector plug with low reflection and low insertion loss |
US5241612A (en) * | 1991-09-17 | 1993-08-31 | Fujitsu Limited | Multicore optical connector |
US6012852A (en) * | 1996-12-18 | 2000-01-11 | The Whitaker Corporation | Expanded beam fiber optic connector |
US6438250B1 (en) * | 1996-10-10 | 2002-08-20 | Electricite De France, Service National | Method for making a conductor, or electric circuit balanced in radioelectric interference such as micro-discharge and corresponding conductor or circuit |
US6542665B2 (en) * | 2001-02-17 | 2003-04-01 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | GRIN fiber lenses |
US6655850B2 (en) * | 2001-07-05 | 2003-12-02 | Corning Incorporated | Hybrid fiber expanded beam connector and methods for using and making the hybrid fiber expanded beam connector |
US8662758B2 (en) * | 2011-12-27 | 2014-03-04 | Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | Optical fiber coupling device |
US9057847B2 (en) * | 2012-05-16 | 2015-06-16 | Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | Male optical connector and female optical connector and related optical fiber coupling assembly |
US9360632B2 (en) * | 2014-09-18 | 2016-06-07 | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | Ferrule |
US9645325B2 (en) * | 2015-05-01 | 2017-05-09 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Expanded-beam ferrule with high coupling efficiency for optical interface devices |
US9739948B2 (en) * | 2015-12-28 | 2017-08-22 | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | Lens-equipped connector |
US10191218B2 (en) * | 2017-05-17 | 2019-01-29 | Konica Minolta, Inc. | Optical element and optical connector |
US20190121026A1 (en) * | 2016-04-05 | 2019-04-25 | Toyo Seikan Group Holdings, Ltd. | Optical fiber with lens and optical coupler |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3764424B2 (en) | 2003-01-17 | 2006-04-05 | 株式会社東芝 | Multi-core optical connector |
JP2006235245A (en) * | 2005-02-24 | 2006-09-07 | Kyocera Corp | Ferrule-type optical component and optical module using the same |
JP4925323B2 (en) * | 2007-08-21 | 2012-04-25 | 東洋ガラス株式会社 | Optical fiber collimator and optical fiber collimator array manufacturing method |
JP5377730B1 (en) | 2012-08-31 | 2013-12-25 | 株式会社フジクラ | Manufacturing method of optical fiber array |
US9946033B2 (en) * | 2013-08-07 | 2018-04-17 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Fiber optic connector with adhesive management |
JP6379898B2 (en) * | 2014-09-11 | 2018-08-29 | 住友電気工業株式会社 | Optical connector and optical connector manufacturing method |
WO2016084113A1 (en) * | 2014-11-26 | 2016-06-02 | オリンパス株式会社 | Optical fiber connection mechanism and optical fiber connection method |
JP2017219801A (en) * | 2016-06-10 | 2017-12-14 | 東洋製罐グループホールディングス株式会社 | Multicore optical connector and manufacturing method therefor |
-
2016
- 2016-06-10 JP JP2016116204A patent/JP2017219801A/en active Pending
-
2017
- 2017-05-09 US US16/307,392 patent/US10613277B2/en active Active
- 2017-05-09 EP EP17810027.7A patent/EP3470897A4/en active Pending
- 2017-05-09 CN CN201780033411.2A patent/CN109196398A/en active Pending
- 2017-05-09 WO PCT/JP2017/017480 patent/WO2017212845A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5214730A (en) * | 1991-05-13 | 1993-05-25 | Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Corporation | Multifiber optical connector plug with low reflection and low insertion loss |
US5241612A (en) * | 1991-09-17 | 1993-08-31 | Fujitsu Limited | Multicore optical connector |
US6438250B1 (en) * | 1996-10-10 | 2002-08-20 | Electricite De France, Service National | Method for making a conductor, or electric circuit balanced in radioelectric interference such as micro-discharge and corresponding conductor or circuit |
US6012852A (en) * | 1996-12-18 | 2000-01-11 | The Whitaker Corporation | Expanded beam fiber optic connector |
US6542665B2 (en) * | 2001-02-17 | 2003-04-01 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | GRIN fiber lenses |
US6655850B2 (en) * | 2001-07-05 | 2003-12-02 | Corning Incorporated | Hybrid fiber expanded beam connector and methods for using and making the hybrid fiber expanded beam connector |
US8662758B2 (en) * | 2011-12-27 | 2014-03-04 | Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | Optical fiber coupling device |
US9057847B2 (en) * | 2012-05-16 | 2015-06-16 | Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | Male optical connector and female optical connector and related optical fiber coupling assembly |
US9360632B2 (en) * | 2014-09-18 | 2016-06-07 | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | Ferrule |
US9645325B2 (en) * | 2015-05-01 | 2017-05-09 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Expanded-beam ferrule with high coupling efficiency for optical interface devices |
US9739948B2 (en) * | 2015-12-28 | 2017-08-22 | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | Lens-equipped connector |
US20190121026A1 (en) * | 2016-04-05 | 2019-04-25 | Toyo Seikan Group Holdings, Ltd. | Optical fiber with lens and optical coupler |
US10191218B2 (en) * | 2017-05-17 | 2019-01-29 | Konica Minolta, Inc. | Optical element and optical connector |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20190101701A1 (en) * | 2016-03-24 | 2019-04-04 | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | Optical connector ferrule, optical connector, and optical coupling structure |
US10613277B2 (en) * | 2016-06-10 | 2020-04-07 | Toyo Seikan Group Holdings, Ltd. | Multicore optical connector and method of manufacturing the same |
CN110568550A (en) * | 2019-09-24 | 2019-12-13 | 广州宏晟光电科技股份有限公司 | Shape forming method of optical fiber image inverter |
US20230036200A1 (en) * | 2019-12-26 | 2023-02-02 | Fujikura Ltd. | Multicore fiber, optical fiber cable, and optical connector |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN109196398A (en) | 2019-01-11 |
EP3470897A1 (en) | 2019-04-17 |
JP2017219801A (en) | 2017-12-14 |
US10613277B2 (en) | 2020-04-07 |
EP3470897A4 (en) | 2020-01-15 |
WO2017212845A1 (en) | 2017-12-14 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US10613277B2 (en) | Multicore optical connector and method of manufacturing the same | |
US9703041B2 (en) | Multi-channel optical connector with coupling lenses | |
TWI665482B (en) | Socket | |
JP7167014B2 (en) | Optical connector and optical connector connection structure | |
CN108351478B (en) | Optical connector and optical coupling structure | |
US20100284651A1 (en) | Fiber-optic pin-and-socket connector having a beam expansion device | |
JP6806059B2 (en) | Fiber optic connector with lens | |
JP6379898B2 (en) | Optical connector and optical connector manufacturing method | |
US9753221B2 (en) | Optical coupler for a multicore fiber | |
US20140294339A1 (en) | Compact optical fiber splitters | |
US9618711B2 (en) | Apparatus for forming a transceiver interface, ferrule, and optical transceiver component | |
US10775569B2 (en) | Optical connector and optical connection structure | |
CN105372770A (en) | Optical fiber coupling module | |
CN108603988A (en) | Optical fiber equipped with optical conenctor and optical coupling structure | |
US20160238789A1 (en) | Compact optical fiber splitters | |
JP2016061941A (en) | Optical fiber connection structure | |
JP2021026103A (en) | Optical connector | |
US20230273376A1 (en) | Optical connection component and connector assembly | |
CN116931200B (en) | 400G DR4 optical device | |
JP2016057483A (en) | Connector ferrule | |
CN107305270A (en) | Compact optical fiber shunt | |
JP2004325812A (en) | Multiple multiplexing and demultiplexing module |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TOYO SEIKAN GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD., JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MARUYAMA, NAOFUMI;MISU, NAOKI;REEL/FRAME:047684/0025 Effective date: 20180903 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO UNDISCOUNTED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: BIG.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED -- APPLICATION RECEIVED IN OFFICE OF PUBLICATIONS |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: PUBLICATIONS -- ISSUE FEE PAYMENT RECEIVED |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
MAFP | Maintenance fee payment |
Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 4TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1551); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY Year of fee payment: 4 |